elastischem

Elastischem is the dative singular form of the German adjective elastisch (elastic). It is used when describing a masculine or neuter noun in the dative case, especially in constructions without a definite article or after prepositions that govern the dative. Common examples include mit elastischem Material and in elastischem Zustand. This form illustrates how German adjectives inflect for case, gender, and number.

Etymology and meaning: Elastisch derives from the concept of elasticity and belongs to a technical vocabulary that entered German from Greek elastos, meaning able to be stretched or drawn out. The related noun Elastizität denotes elasticity and is widely used in physics, engineering, and everyday language to describe the property of returning to the original shape after deformation.

Usage and domains: In science and engineering, elastisch describes materials or behaviors that recover their shape after deformation. Phrases such as elastischer Körper or elastische Eigenschaften appear frequently in textbooks and technical writing. The dative form elastischem occurs in contexts like mit elastischem Material or in elastischem Zustand, where the noun is in the dative case.

Grammar note: Elastisch, like other adjectives, declines according to the surrounding article or determiner. Elastischem appears specifically as the dative singular form for masculine or neuter nouns in unpreceded or certain determiner contexts, while other forms (elastischer, elastisches) serve other cases and genders.

See also: Elastizität, German grammar, Adjektivdeklination.